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A reader e-mailed us to point out Mayor Blue Sky and Sunshine (aka Bob Duffy) proclaimed:

“I think this city is on a hot streak. I think this city is on the move,” Duffy said, adding that he does not want to do anything to derail the momentum.” 

We at Monroerising.com have criticized Mayor Duffy for being the Cheerleader - in - Chief of the City of Rochester, but he has really gone overboard with this.  It is important to note that the Mayor said this quote in an article announcing the need to spend $1 million on surveillance cameras in troubled City neighborhoods.

Maybe the Mayor doesn’t remember what happened at the Northwest College Preparatory Schools in the City of Rochester last month. Or what about the two long term city employees who were arrested for stealing? Or what about the gay bashing incident that never happened? Oh yea, don’t forget, there have only been 11 murders so far this year.

Sure, we are going to take a bunch of jobs in the suburbs and move them to Midtown Plaza and call that economic development and I realize the City graduation rate has climbed to 48%.  Progress is being made — but calling this a hot streak is stretching things.  Come on Mayor, let’s set the bar a little higher.

Tags: Articles, Bob Duffy, City of Rochester, The Equalizer by The Equalizer
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After last year’s debacle of not being able to find a candidate for County Executive, it’s nice to see Democratic Party Chairman Joe “The Cat Whisperer” Morelle put his nose to the grindstone and put a lot of work into finding a candidate for County Clerk.

Tom Hasman, an former Clinton intern, is the Democrats’ choice to run against Cheryl Dinolfo. According to the Democrat and Chronicle:

During Hasman’s announcement, held at Monroe County Democratic Committee headquarters, committee Chairman Joseph Morelle attacked Dinolfo’s practice of encouraging people to renew their vehicle registrations in person at the clerk’s office, so the county can retain the revenue, instead of renewing their registrations online or by mail, which can be more convenient but sends all of the revenue to Albany.

Huh?  I know Morelle put serving his political master Sheldon Silver ahead of doing what’s right for Rochester, but still, it’s surprising he would actually say that out loud. [Read more →]

Tags: Monroe County, The Equalizer by The Equalizer
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Democratic County Legislator Carmen Gamina, Principal of the State Road Elementary School and Monroe County Legislator, has been named in a lawsuit by a female teacher.  The teacher claims Gamina violated the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1975 and the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

According to the Messenger Post Papers:

In the suit, Heaphy said the district acted inappropriately when the school’s principal, Carmen Gumina, asked if she was pregnant in September 2006. The lawsuit alleges district officials acted against Heaphy afterward.

Because the case is a personnel matter with litigation pending, Superintendent Adele Bovard declined to comment.

Under the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1975, it is unlawful for an employer to discriminate on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth or any related medical conditions, according to the suit. [Read more →]

Tags: Articles, Monroe County, The Equalizer by The Equalizer
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Good news for Republicans in the race for the 26th CD nomination.  Rick Lewis announced he will be dropping out of the race after party leaders lined up behind Chris Lee.  This is according to the Buffalo News – another paper you have to read if you want to know what’s going on in Monroe County — nice job Democrat and Chronicle!

According to the Buffalo News:

“For the larger good of the party, I’ve decided to leave the race,” Lewis said. “I had been urged by many to wage a primary, but I thought that if I stayed in it would hurt the party’s chances in November.

“I’m a team player, and the larger issue is keeping the seat,” he added.

David Bellavia, an author and decorated Iraq War veteran, is the only other GOP candidate publicly sustaining his candidacy.

Let’s hope Bellavia comes to his senses.  Given the current political climate, if there are two candidates who are war heroes, the Democrat (Jon Powers) is going to win — even if he illegally takes campaign money to pay his rent.

Plus, Bellavia’s inexperience and lack of polish will doom him.  If Republicans are going to have a chance at keeping this seat, they need to unite behind Chris Lee.

Tags: Local Congressional Races, The Equalizer by The Equalizer
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James David Manning, Pastor of the Atwah Ministries in Harlem, has an interesting take on African-American leaders.  In this clip, he berates Barack Obama for never having been in jail.  He feels a black leader isn’t “keeping it real” if they haven’t been to jail.

So, Assemblyman David Gantt’s action in February make all the sense in the world.  And his support of Hillary Clinton makes sense now in light of the Pastor’s comments (who cares who you vote for when both candidates have white mamas?).

Mr. Peabody, I agree with about 95% of what you have to say, but you’re wrong on this.  To quote Pastor Manning, “if white people haven’t put a black person in jail then he’s not qualified to be a leader in the African American community.” Assemblyman Gantt is doing the wright right thing! 

Tags: Barack Obama, David Gantt, The Equalizer by The Equalizer
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A reader send us the link to this video — it’s from Pastor James David Manning, PhD, from the Atlah World Ministries, an African-American Church in Harlem.  Contrary to Reverend Wright’s view, it’s proof that not all black clergy members hate America or feel obligated to support Obama. 

We try to provide our readers with the information they need to make informed decisions.  We find it offensive that Reverend Wright would claim that criticism of him is criticism of Black Churches.  Well Reverend Wright, you can’t make claims or charges on behalf of an entire race of people.

Take Pastor Manning.  He doesn’t support Barack Obama.  In fact, Pastor Manning feels that Obama is “a long legged mack daddy” who hasn’t accomplished anything for anyone and he is offended that so many African Americans are supporting Obama simply because he is black.  Or as the Pastor points out — half black.

 I think the Pastor is supporting Hillary Clinton — he is very appreciative that former President Clinton opened an office in Harlem and spurred $250 million in investment in this area.  There is something very compelling about this video — I’ve watched it a couple of times — it’s just fascinating.

Tags: Barack Obama, The Equalizer by The Equalizer
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Surprise, surprize — the Democrat and Chronicle reports that Buffalo area businessman Chris Lee has received the endorsement at that meeting of Republican Chairman in Geneseo last night.  I couldn’t find anything in the Buffalo News. 

I’ll be interested in the details of what happened — maybe the Buffalo news will have something later this morning.  I’d like to know how much support David Bellavia received.  He’s the really arrogant war vet who compared Barack Obama to Tiger Woods and he was mad because all the Republican chairmen who didn’t support him were “acting in bad faith.”  Of all of the people who didn’t receive party backing, he seems like the guy with the biggest ego and most likely to force a primary.

We’ll keep you posted. 

Tags: Local Congressional Races, The Equalizer by The Equalizer
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Take a look at Water Buffalo Press’ take on RICHard Dollinger, Sandy Frankel and Willa Powell’s protest last week outside of Joe Robach’s office — It’s really well done:

What a beautiful day to grandstand

NYS Senate hopefuls Rick Dollinger, Sandra Frankel and Willa Powell could not have had better weather in which to grandstand, I mean demonstrate, outside the office of Senator Joe Robach yesterday.

See our earlier post on the matter that caused all the hub-bub for the background on this story which led to the Rochester branch’s NOW-organized picket:

Barbara Moore, secretary of the Rochester chapter of NOW, said she didn’t think the candidates were using the issue for political gain.

“Economic justice, the economy, is the bedrock of the Democratic party and these are strong Democrats,” she said. “Democrats care about raising people out of poverty. They know something has to be done and they know pay equity is the way to do that.”

Uh-huh.  What Moore failed to mention is that Robach’s bill passed the Senate unanimously with bi-partisan support.  Moore also failed to address the mythological nature of discriminatory pay practices in New York and across the country.

Well done WBP!

Tags: Joe Robach, Richard Dollinger, Sandy Frankel, The Equalizer, Willa Powell by The Equalizer
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The six and seventh employees of the City of Rochester were arrested since Bob Duffy became Mayor a little more that 2 years after taking office. According to the morning fish wrapper, a 24 and 25 year employee of the City’s parking meter operation office were  arrested for stealing:

“This pattern of conduct, we believe, has been going on for a long time,” Mayor Robert Duffy said, declining to give further detail when announcing the arrests Thursday. “At this point, we cannot establish how much money has been taken.”

Anthony J. Morelli of Rochester, a 25-year city employee and supervising parking meter mechanic in the city’s four-person parking meter operations office, is accused of fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, three counts of petit larceny, official misconduct and second-degree falsifying business records.

Samuel A. Vito Jr. of Hilton, a 24-year city employee and a parking meter mechanic, is accused of fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, petit larceny, official misconduct and second-degree falsifying business records.

(snip)

The city brings in more than $500,000 annually from parking meters, records show, but has seen that revenue fall steadily in recent years. Factors including downtown’s decline and fewer meters previously explained the drop. According to records, revenue was more than $600,000 in 2001-2002. [Read more →]

Tags: Articles, Bob Duffy, City of Rochester, The Equalizer by The Equalizer
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She’s at it again. Checkout Sandrafrankel.com and notice Sandy Frankel’s government office phone number and address is listed on her senate campaign website under the contact us section.  In case Mrs. Frankel removes it quickly (she did this last time we caught her) click here for an image. 

I’m pretty sure this is illegal.  If not, it is certainly unethical.  Maybe Andrew Cuomo’s Public Integrity Unit can investigate.  Call Sandy at Town Hall (784-5251) and tell her to stop using governmental resources for political purposes!

Tags: Articles, Sandy Frankel, The Equalizer by The Equalizer
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